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Posted April 1, 2012 10:40 pm - Updated April 1, 2012 10:48 pm

Associated Press

Bruins nip Rangers, clinch division

NEW YORK — Dennis Seidenberg and Patrice Bergeron scored second-period goals, Tim Thomas made 33 saves and the Boston Bruins clinched the Northeast Division title with a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday night.

Boston also prevented the Rangers from winning the Atlantic Division and securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

New York needs only one point in its final three games to finish first.

Marian Gaborik scored his 40th goal of the season early in the first period, but the Rangers couldn’t muster much else against the defending Stanley Cup champions, who also locked up the No. 2 seed. Henrik Lundqvist made 19 saves for New York. The Rangers lead Pittsburgh by five points.

FLYERS 6, PENGUINS 4

In Pittsburgh, Jakub Voracek scored twice in the third period to break open a tight game and lift Philadelphia over Pittsburgh.

Wayne Simmonds, Claude Giroux, Max Talbot and Marc-Andre Bourdon also scored for Philadelphia, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 43 shots to help the Flyers pull within a point of the Penguins for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Steve Sullivan scored twice for Pittsburgh, and James Neal added his 39th of the season, but the Penguins couldn’t hold an early two-goal lead.

RED WINGS 2, PANTHERS 1 (SO)

In Detroit, Jiri Hudler scored with 14:30 remaining in the third period and again in a shootout to help Detroit beat Florida.

Pavel Datsyuk also scored in the shootout for the Red Wings.

The Panthers did secure a point to move three ahead of second-place Washington in the Southeast Division with three games remaining.

SENATORS 5, ISLANDERS 1

In Uniondale, N.Y., Kyle Turris scored twice and had two assists, Milan Michalek added his team-leading 35th goal and Ottawa beat New York to clinch a playoff spot.

The Senators won their fourth consecutive game to move four points behind idle New Jersey for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.